Tag: COVID-19

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Church Life and Pastoral Care in Victoria

Dear Full Gospel Pastors of Victoria,
We are praying for you and your congregations. During this time of restrictions we urge you to join our Pastor’s Round Table ZOOM  meetings at any of these times:
Monday 6:30 AM
Wednesday 6:30 AM
Wednesday 5:30 PM
Friday 6:30 AM
Friday 6:00 PM
Please refer to the emails sent to you for meeting details.

Church Life and Pastoral Care in Victoria

Victoria is under two types of COVID-19 Restictions:
1.       Metropolitan Victoria is in Stage 4 Restictions
2.       Regional Victoria is in Stage 3 Restrictions

NB: You are responsible for determining which level of restriction you are under, and to act within the law at all times.

VICTORIA STAGE 4 RESTRICTIONS

PLACES OF WORSHIP ARE CLOSED

EXEMPTIONS for pre-recording or live broadcasting services ( 5 people max on site – includes volunteers) or foodbanks and community services
CHURCH OFFICES MUST CLOSE – This means that all church administrative work must be done at home including preparation of services, pastoral care, church admin etc.
WEDDINGS are not allowed during the next 6 weeks unless for compassionate reasons
FUNERALS are allowed but only for 10 people
WORKER PERMITS – If staff (paid or volunteers) are attending the church for work (only for reasons above) the Church) MUST issue a WORKER PERMIT  – this is the employer’s responsibility and must be carried at all times by the employee.
FACE COVERINGS ETC – Face coverings, one person to four-square metres rule and appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all time
COVIDSafe PLANS  ESSENTIAL – All workplaces that remain open (Churches who are prerecording services, live broadcasting or operating foodbanks) must complete a COVIDsafe plan by 11:59pm on Friday 7th August
8pm CURFEW  – All services should conclude by 7:30pm to allow for workers to be at home by 8pm.
NO CHURCH MAINTENANCE – For the next 6 weeks, only emergency safety maintenance will be allowed – mowing lawns, basic church upkeep etc. cannot be undertaken.
Information about completing a COVIDsafe plan is available here:
Permitted Worker Scheme Information: https://www.vic.gov.au/worker-permit-scheme

VICTORIA STAGE 3 RESTRICTIONS

PLACES OF WORSHIP

Places of religion and worship must close for both religious ceremonies and private worship. Exceptions are:

CEREMONIES AND SERVICES can still be recorded or broadcast live from the place of worship for viewing online. Those who are necessary to conduct the ceremony may be on site to record and live stream services, however this is limited to a maximum of five (5) people including volunteers. You should ensure those people wear a face covering and maintain physical distancing by keeping at least 1.5 metres between each other at all times
ESSENTIAL PUBLIC SUPPORT SERVICES such as food banks, help for the homeless or other essential activities allowed, ensuring face coverings are worn and appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all times
·       If you can work from home, you must  – all church administrative work must be done at home including preparation of services, pastoral care, church admin etc.
WEDDINGS limited to five people – the couple, two witnesses and the celebrant
FUNERALS limited to 10 mourners plus those required to conduct the funeral
·       A wedding or funeral held in a private residence will be limited to the members of the household, plus the people required to conduct the ceremony
FACE COVERINGS ETC – Face coverings, one person to four-square metres rule and appropriate physical distancing is maintained by keeping at least 1.5 metres between everyone at all time
HOSPITAL VISITATION is restricted, however a pastor providing essential physical or emotional care that cannot be delivered by the health service care team or via electronic means may be allowed to visit. Individual hospitals may not allow pastoral visit – please ensure you act according to all directions from hospital staff if you choose to visit
PASTORAL CARE in PRIVATE HOMES is not mentioned in Victorian State, however FGA advise that unless there is a true emergency, personal visitation should cease till restrictions are lifted
Further Information:

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/visiting-hospitals-covid-19

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/stage-3-restrictions-covid-19

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/face-coverings-covid-19

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Places of Worship Closed to the Public – Update Re: Small groups

According to the most current advice we have received, the gathering of small groups is permissible under current legislation as long as the social distancing regulations are being adhered to. This includes but is not limited to:
    • Bible study groups
    • Prayer groups or intercessory prayer groups
    • Production Teams. The teams could constitute:
        • Audio Visual Crew (usually one to three people)
        • Lighting Crew (one or two people)
        • IT crew (Usually one or two people)
        • Musicians and singers (Usually from four to eight people)
        • A host or worship leader
        • A minister to present a sermon
        • A production generalist
    • Board meetings or elder’s meetings
    • Funerals
These allowances do not extend to:
    • Youth Groups
    • Young adults meetings
    • Kid’s Church or Sunday School
    • Children’s groups or play groups
    • Mother’s groups
    • Women’s and men’s meetings
    • Prayer breakfasts
    • Large baptisms
    • Large weddings
    • Large groups of any kind
    • Outdoor events such as Church BBQ’s etc.
What is the current Social Distancing Rule?
Under current rulings, each person must maintain a distance of 1.5 Mtr from other people. In gatherings, each person is to be allocated four square metres.
      • If a room in which you are gathering is six metres by five metres, the internal area of the room is
      • 6 X 5 = 30 square metres
      • 30 / 4 = 7.5
      • Therefore you can have a total of 7 people in that room under current rulings
Some Ways to obtain the Correct Social Distance
    • Measure the rooms you will be using and record the results in a journal, log or some other record which is kept to prove that you have ‘done your sums.’
    • Keep a record of people present and when they entered and left.
    • Ask participants to sign the record.
    • Do not allow people to hug, shake hands, give high fives or show other forms of affection with physical contact.
    • Provide soap and running water for hand washing.
    • Provide hand sanitiser for hand cleaning.
    • Clean all hard surfaces with an anti-bacterial disinfectant spray/wash/wipe before and after the meeting.
    • Before the meeting, talk about the risks of infection and give instructions regarding personal hygiene and behaviour
These are not hard and fast rules, they are merely suggestions on how you can keep yourself and your church/ministry family safe. There are many sources of information available with up to date and official data on how to stay safe in this time. Please see your local government and state government websites for the most up-to-date information.
Social Distance is not Emotionally Distant
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Faithfulness and COVID-19

The National Leadership Team (NLT) of FGA calls all our ministers, credential holders, their congregations and teams to prayer in faith for their own health, the health of all congregations and ministries in FGA and for the wider Australian community. It is our privilege and duty to surround our nation with faith filled prayer.

We call on God in faith that he responds to our prayers and delivers us. Psalm 103 states that he heals all our diseases (ESV). Psalm 138:7 “Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the wrath of my enemies, and your right hand delivers me.” (ESV).

Please include your staff, associates, teams and congregations as you join with us in prayer for our Nation. Pray for our political leaders, health authorities and businesses as well as the Australian population. Ask in faith for God’s blessing of protection on Australia.

From the FGA Response to Covid-19

 

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National Conference 2020 Cancelled Due to COVID-19 Uncertainties

The Australian Government has today announced a ban on public gatherings greater than 500 people. Among the organisations who have been affected are sporting fixtures, concerts, public gatherings and the arts. Currently, there are increasing travel restrictions (domestic travel is being discouraged and international flights are severely curtailed) plus growing uncertainties surrounding public health and well being. Full Gospel Australia has been in contact with health authorities, government departments and received information from the World Health Authority concerning COVID-19.
The board have taken the decision to cancel the 2020 NATIONAL CONFERENCE. Whilst we understand that the first week of September is nearly six months away, we also do not know what social and travel restrictions will be in place at that time. We have taken this decision now, in faith that it is the right decision for all our members and credential holders.
We trust that you will understand this decision and support us prayerfully as we continue to work on your behalf.
We will be issuing a position statement to all our members early next week regarding COVID-19.
Today we call you to prayer for our people, our nation and especially for those who are affected by these circumstances.
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